Several snow-related crashes reported in Hickory

HICKORY, N.C. — Snowfall created several issues for drivers throughout the Hickory area Friday afternoon.

Highway 127 in south Hickory was shut down by police after snow caused several vehicles to slide across the roadway.

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Channel 9′s Dave Faherty captured one vehicle that had gone off the roadway into an embankment.

Faherty also spoke with young driver Salim Holmes, who was involved in one of the collisions. Holmes said it was his first time driving in the snow.

“Don’t come out. It’s pretty bad right now. I wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else, and I’m just glad we’re safe right now,” Holmes elaborated.

While no injuries have been reported, authorities are encouraging residents to stay off the roads.

ALSO: NC transportation officials lay out plans for winter storm

The city of Hickory has 16 snowplows ready to roll along with spreaders on many of their trucks.

Downtown Hickory businesses were putting out salt along the sidewalks Friday morning.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation told Channel 9 that several roads across the state had already been treated with salt and brine on Thursday.

Earlier in the week, Channel 9′s Dave Faherty saw a lot of activity over at the NCDOT yard south of Morganton, where road crews already had plows on many of the trucks there.

Spreaders were loaded on the trucks and will be ready to roll Friday, with salt and dirt.

The county engineer told Channel 9 they’re also sharpening their chainsaws in case Burke County sees a lot of ice.

They have a huge stockpile of salt – nearly 2,400 tons.

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NCDOT said its workers will be on 12-hour shifts to respond to any issues once the storm starts. They have nearly 2,000 trucks ready to go once the storm arrives.

Officials encouraged everyone to stay home and off the roads during the storm if possible.

City of Hickory parks, parking lots, and amenities will close early Friday.

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